God's Truth in the Old Testament

by Whitney V. Myers

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Crater Lake National Park, Oregon - with Psalm 119:160 - Photo by Whitney V. Myers

"The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever" (Psalm 119:160).

This article is the first in the series, "About the Truth."  This article focuses on what the Old Testament says about God's truth. 

The Truth of God in the Old Testament

     Definition.  The main Hebrew word for "truth" in the Old Testament is emeth.  Emeth means "firmness, faithfulness, truth" (Ref. 1).

The word emeth first occurs in Genesis 24:27, when Abraham's servant completes his journey to find a bride for Abraham's son, Isaac.  “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master.  As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”

     Consider.  Let's look together at several verses which describe the attributes, or characteristics, of God's truth.

     God's commandments are truth itself. 
     "Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth" (Psalm 119:142). 
     "You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth" (Psalm 119:151).
     "The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever" (Psalm 119:160).

Think ahead to Pilate's question to Jesus, "What is truth?" (John 18:38).  The writer of Psalm 119 answers Pilate's question.  God's word is truth. 

Zion National Park, Utah with Psalm 25:5 - Photo by Whitney V. Myers

     God's truth leads us and guides us.  David prayed, "Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long" (Psalm 25:5).  

John the disciple confirmed this principle when he quoted Jesus.  "But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13).    

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     God's truth protects us.  In Psalm 91, the psalmist writes, "He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness (emeth, truth) is a shield and bulwark" (Psalm 91:4, italics added).    Merriam-Webster defines a bulwark as a solid wall-like structure raised for defense (Ref. 2).

David expressed his confidence in God's truth to protect him.  "Lord, do not withhold Your compassion from me; Your constant love and truth will always guard me" (Psalm 40:11).

Recall how Jesus used God's truth (from the Old Testament) to defend himself from Satan's temptations and to end Satan's attack (Matthew 4:1-11).

     God's truth is everlasting.  "For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.  Praise the Lord!" (Psalm 117:2)

Martin Luther confirmed this principle in "A Mighty Fortress is our God" when he wrote, "God's truth abideth still" (Ref. 3). 

As believers in Christ, God's truth is our standard.  God's truth endures forever and does not change. 

     Apply.  Let's review the four principles in this lesson:
1.  God's commandments are truth itself (Psalm 119:160)
2.  God's truth leads us and guides us (Psalm 25:5)
3.  God's truth protects us (Psalm 91:4)
4.  God's truth is everlasting (Psalm 117:2)

How can you apply these principles to your life today?

References
1.  http://biblehub.com/hebrew/571.htm
2.  https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulwark
3.  https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/A_Mighty_Fortress_Is_Our_God/